Business Insider: Dina Spectorhttp://www.businessinsider.com/author/dina-spector
en-usSun, 02 Aug 2015 18:15:51 -0400Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:15:51 -0400The latest news from Dina Spector on Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-a-blue-moon-2012-8What is a blue moon?http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-a-blue-moon-2012-8
Fri, 31 Jul 2015 08:44:00 -0400Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/503d925269beddd33d000004/blue-moon.jpg" alt="Blue Moon" border="0" /></p><p>Tonight, July 31, skywatchers will be treated to a blue moon. Does this mean the Moon will actually look blue? Unfortunately, no.</p>
<p>To understand the celestial event &mdash; and the story behind the name &mdash; we've prepared a brief Q&amp;A, with a little help from James Applegate, a professor of Astronomy at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/columbia" class="hidden_link">Columbia University</a>.</p>
<p><em>(This post was originally published on Aug. 31, 2012, which is why you will see this date throughout the following Q&amp;A.)</em></p>
<p><strong>BI: What is a blue moon?</strong></p>
<p>JA: The term blue moon refers to the second full moon in a single calendar month. The first full moon was on Aug. 2. The second full moon will occur on Friday, Aug. 31.</p>
<p><strong>BI: I know the phrase "Once in a blue moon" means something very rare. How rare is a blue moon? </strong></p>
<p>JA: Blue moons happen every two to three years. Typically, a single month only has one full moon. But sometimes another gets squeezed in because our calendar months and our lunar months aren't an exact match. The time between full moons (the time it takes for the moon to orbit the Earth and cycle through all its phases) is 29.5 days. Our calendar months, on the other hand, usually have 30 or 31 days in them. This means each calendar year has about 11 more days than a lunar year. "The fact that our months are about a day longer than the time between full moons means that if the 1st or 2nd (for a 31-day month) is a full moon, then we get a second full moon (the blue moon) in the same month," says Applegate. This happens roughly every 30 months, or every two to three years.</p>
<p><strong>BI: Is a blue moon really blue?</strong></p>
<p>JA: No, it will <em>not</em> be blue in color. It looks like a regular full moon.</p>
<p><strong>BI: Why is it called a blue moon if it is not the color blue?</strong></p>
<p>JA: The origin of the term "blue moon" as it refers to the second full moon in a single calendar month is tied to modern folklore. <a href="http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/moon/3304131.html">Sky &amp; Telescope</a> has a lengthy article that uncovers the mystery behind the name. Here are the Cliff Notes.</p>
<p>There is typically one full moon a month, which means 12 full moons a year. This also means that each three-month season &mdash; winter, spring, fall and summer &mdash; has three full moons.</p>
<p>Originally, each moon had a name that represented the season they appeared in (i.e Flower moon in June during the late spring or Harvest moon in October during the early fall). As early as 1932, the Maine Farmers' Almanac used the term "blue moon" to describe the third full moon in a season that had an extra fourth full moon so that the seasonal-appropriate names didn't get out of whack.</p>
<p>In March 1946, astronomer James Hugh Pruett wrote an article called "Once in a blue moon" that appeared in Sky &amp; Telescope. In the article, the author incorrectly used the Farmers' Almanac's definition of blue moon to refer to the second full moon in a single month.</p>
<p>This definition for blue moon gained widespread adoption after Deborah Byrd from EarthSky used Pruett's 1946 definition of a blue moon to describe the second full moon in a month on a radio show in 1980.</p>
<p>The second-full-moon-of-the-month definition for blue moon is now commonly accepted in popular culture.</p>
<p><strong>BI: When is the best time to see the blue moon? </strong></p>
<p>JA: "The full moon is visible in the eastern part of the sky near sunset, high in the southern sky near midnight, and low in the west near dawn," says Applegate.</p>
<p><strong>BI: If I miss this blue moon, when will I be able catch the next one? </strong></p>
<p>JA: There won't be another blue moon for three years. Mark your calendars for July 2015, the next time two full moons will occur in the same month.</p>
<p><strong>BI: Does the Moon ever actually appear blue in color?</strong></p>
<p>JA: Yes, but it's a rare occurrence. The moon can appear blue (or green) <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2004/07jul_bluemoon/">after a volcanic eruption that emits particles into the air</a>, which scatter red light. People saw blue moons for years after the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia. The same phenomenon was reported after the eruptions of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 and Mount Pinatubo in 1991.</p>
<p>But again, the blue moon you will see on Friday refers to the second full moon in August.</p><p><strong>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blue-moon-friday-july-31-2015-7" >A rare blue moon will appear tonight</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-a-blue-moon-2012-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/business-insider-uk-is-hiring-a-paid-intern-to-write-about-advertising-2015-7Business Insider UK is hiring a paid intern to write about advertisinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/business-insider-uk-is-hiring-a-paid-intern-to-write-about-advertising-2015-7
Fri, 24 Jul 2015 09:43:21 -0400Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55b23f0edd0895dd418b462e-823-617/et8wdevw6yepy3fg7ow3mnuflspa9bhioojflriyy9g.jpg" alt="business insider new office" data-mce-source="Daniel Goodman" /></p><p>Business Insider UK is hiring a paid intern to write about advertising from its London office.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This candidate will generate many clips each day and have the opportunity to attend a lot of cool events in London!</p>
<p>The job requires a mix of blogging, traditional beat reporting, commentary, and analysis.&nbsp;</p>
<p>We are looking for someone:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>who can work quickly and independently</li>
<li>whose spelling, punctuation, and headline-writing are impeccable</li>
<li>who is excited about getting out of the office to attend networking events and parties</li>
<li>who knows how to use blogs,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/twitter" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, Linkedin,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/facebook" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and other social media to attract and engage an audience</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.jobscore.com/jobs2/businessinsider/editorial-intern-advertising/aieiFOlXer5AWaiGaltGfR">APPLY HERE</a>&nbsp;</strong>if you're excited about all of these things.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>This internship requires that you work in our London office, located near the Old Street and Shoreditch High Street tube stations. Interns are encouraged to work 40 hours a week&nbsp;for a six-month period from the start date.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/business-insider-uk-is-hiring-a-paid-intern-to-write-about-advertising-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> Daniel Goodmanhttp://www.businessinsider.com/uber-ice-cream-promotion-2015-7Uber will deliver free ice cream across the UK todayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/uber-ice-cream-promotion-2015-7
Fri, 24 Jul 2015 04:32:00 -0400Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55b165c0dd08954a618b45bd-1000-750/shutterstock_101426689.jpg" alt="Ice cream" data-mce-source="Ian Grainger/Shutterstock" /></p><p>Today,&nbsp;ride-sharing app <a href="https://newsroom.uber.com/london/2015/07/icecreamuk15/">Uber will let users order ice cream on-demand to a home or office</a> &mdash; for free.</p>
<p>The promotion, #UberIceCream, lasts for one day only. But be alert: Uber expects demand will be high and says that availability is limited. If you <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/theres-a-massive-kitten-shortage-in-nyc-2013-10">remember the massive kitten shortage in New York City after Uber announced it would be delivering the tiny fluffballs door-to-door</a>, then it's best to keep your fingers nimble and eyes on your mobile screen.</p>
<p>In the UK, you can order ice cream through the Uber app between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday.</p>
<p>To do this, open the Uber app, set your location, and slide right to request ICE CREAM. Wall's Cornettos will be delivered within minutes, Uber says.</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/55b165c0dd08954a618b45be-647-271/screen shot 2015-07-23 at 10.46.52 pm.png" alt="Uber ice cream" data-mce-source="Uber" /></p>
<p>The deal is available across&nbsp;eight UK cities where Uber operates: London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield, Manchester, Slough, and&nbsp;Leeds.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Uber hasn't lucked out with the weather forecast this Friday. In London, it&nbsp;looks like it will definitely rain with a high of 18 degrees C (64 degrees F).</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/55b165c0dd08954a618b45bf-702-163/screen shot 2015-07-23 at 10.08.53 pm.png" alt="weather" data-mce-source="weather" /></p>
<p>But hopefully the sun is shining in other parts of the globe. The promotion, now in its fourth year running, is<a href="http://newsroom.uber.com/2015/07/icecream2015/"> offered in a total of 252 cities around the world,</a> though the hours and pricing vary by city.</p>
<p>In the United States, Uber will send an ice cream van to your office and is <a href="http://newsroom.uber.com/2015/07/icecream2015/">offering a free ice cream to Capital One cardholders</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-ice-cream-promotion-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-maps-no-service-save-offline-2015-6">How to use Google Maps when you have no phone service</a></p> Ian Grainger/Shutterstockhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-24-2015-7The 10 most important things in the world right nowhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-24-2015-7
Fri, 24 Jul 2015 00:49:44 -0400Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55b1c3f9dd08953d578b468c-3190-2393/rtx1ldss.jpg" alt="RTX1LDSS" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger" data-mce-caption="A visitor is silhouetted as she slides down a huge water pipe at a public swimming pool on a hot sunny day in Vienna, Austria, July 22, 2015." /></p><p>Hello! Here's what you need to know for Friday.</p>
<p><strong>1.</strong> A <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/there-was-a-shooting-at-a-movie-theater-in-lafayette-louisiana-multiple-injuries-reported-2015-7">gunman opened fire Thursday night at a Louisiana movie theater</a>, shooting two people dead and injuring several before killing himself.</p>
<p><strong>2</strong><strong>.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/turkey-is-building-a-wall-along-its-border-to-keep-out-isis-militants-2015-7">Turkey is building a wall along "critical sections" of its border with Syria</a> to keep out Islamic State after a suspected suicide bombing from a member of the militant group killed more than 30 people on Monday.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>3.</strong>&nbsp;NASA on Thursday <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/nasa-just-discovered-an-earth-like-planet-2015-7">announced the discovery of the closest analogue to Earth so far</a>, a planet called Kepler 452b that orbits its sunlike star every 385 days&nbsp;at a distance where the temperature could support liquid water on its surface.</p>
<p><strong>4.</strong>&nbsp;The&nbsp;BBC on Thursday broadcast an interview with US President Barack Obama, in which, among many topics discussed, he admitted the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-obama-says-is-the-biggest-frustration-of-his-presidency-2015-7">biggest failure of&nbsp;his presidency has been</a><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-obama-says-is-the-biggest-frustration-of-his-presidency-2015-7">&nbsp;to enact gun control legislation</a>&nbsp;and also urged the UK to stay in the EU.</span></p>
<p><strong>5.</strong> The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-wto-members-seal-trillion-dollar-it-trade-deal-2015-7">World Trade Organisation agreed to eliminate&nbsp;tariffs on&nbsp;more than 200 new technology products worth $1 trillion</a>, including video game console and GPS devices, in a deal that expands a product list that hasn't been updated in 18 years.</p>
<p><strong>6.</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/amazon-q2-earnings-2015-7"><span>Amazon on Thursday&nbsp;</span>reported much better than expected earnings, with revenue of&nbsp;</a><span><span><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/amazon-q2-earnings-2015-7">$23.18 billion</a>&nbsp;(&pound;14.9 billion) versus analyst estimates of $22.39 billion, sending the&nbsp;</span>company&rsquo;s stock shooting up more than 18%&nbsp;in after-hours trading.</span></p>
<p><strong>7.</strong>&nbsp;Iran has outlined a <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/iran-is-eyeing-185-billion-oil-and-gas-projects-once-sanctions-lift-2015-7">plan for nearly 50 oil and gas projects&nbsp;worth $185 billion</a> (&pound;119 billion)&nbsp;once United Nations economic sanctions have been lifted, which likely won't happen&nbsp;until next year.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>8.&nbsp;</strong>Japanese financial newspaper <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/nikkei-is-buying-the-financial-times-2015-7">Nikkei is buying the Financial Times for&nbsp;&pound;844 million</a> ($1.3 billion),&nbsp;a move that Pearson, the FT's owners, said is "the&nbsp;<span>best way to ensure the FT&rsquo;s journalistic and commercial success" amid the "explosive growth of mobile and social."</span></p>
<p><strong>9.</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/waller-county-prosecutor-evidence-from-sandra-bland-autopsy-is-consistent-with-suicide-2015-7">Evidence from an autopsy report for&nbsp;</a><span><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/waller-county-prosecutor-evidence-from-sandra-bland-autopsy-is-consistent-with-suicide-2015-7">Sandra Bland</a>, t</span>he 28-year-old woman found dead in a Texas jail cell after being arrested following an altercation with an officer during a traffic stop, is consistent with&nbsp;suicide.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>10.</strong>&nbsp;<span>European leaders are <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-imf-expects-difficult-discussions-on-new-greek-bailout-2015-7">expected to meet in Athens on Friday to begin negotiations for a third international bailout</a>, though the International Monetary Fund said it anticipates&nbsp;the discussion process will&nbsp;be "difficult" and there would need to be a "<span>specific, concrete commitment" on debt relief.</span></span><span><br /><br /></span><strong>And finally ...</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/uber-ice-cream-promotion-2015-7">For one day only, Uber will deliver ice cream to a home or office in over 250 countries where it operates until supplies run out.</a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-24-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/1998-mclaren-f1-auction-15-million-dollars-2015-6">This 1998 supercar could auction for $15 million</a></p> REUTERS/Leonhard Foegerhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-22-clone-2015-7The 10 most important things in the world right nowhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-22-clone-2015-7
Thu, 23 Jul 2015 01:00:45 -0400Dina Spector and Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/55b07589dd089551488b4697-1200-800/ap_528642288578.jpg" alt="Tour de France" data-mce-source="AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani" data-mce-caption="The pack with Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides during the seventeenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 161 kilometers (100 miles) with start in Digne-les-Bains and finish in Pra Loup, France, Wednesday, July 22, 2015." /></p><p>Hello! Here's what you need to know for Thursday.</p>
<p><strong>1.</strong> Greece's parliament on Wednesday <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-greek-parliament-passes-second-crucial-bailout-bill-2015-7">approved a package of civil-justice and banking reforms</a> that European creditors required before beginning negotiations on an &euro;86 billion bailout.</p>
<p><strong>2</strong><strong>.</strong> US President Barack <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/obama-is-finally-about-to-announce-a-plan-to-close-guantanamo-bay-2015-7">Obama is close to announcing a plan to close the Guantanamo Bay military prison</a> and transfer out the remaining 116 detainees, which has been a goal since he entered office in 2009.</p>
<p><strong>3.</strong> At least <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-blasts-kill-at-least-29-in-nigerian-city-of-gombe-2015-7">29 people were killed in bombings at a mosque and a bus station in the northern Nigerian city of Gombe</a>, in attacks that are believed to be linked to the militant group Boko Haram.</p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> Italian police on Wednesday <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/italian-police-just-raided-a-mafia-gambling-empire-2015-7">seized &euro;2 billion in assets in a raid of betting shops, gambling websites, and companies run by the 'Ndrangheta Mafia</a>, one of Europe's biggest cocaine importers.</p>
<p><strong>5. </strong><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/ikea-recall-of-malm-dresser-2015-7">Ikea will repair 27 million of its most popular style of dressers by offering a free anchoring kit</a>, after two children were crushed to death when the furniture items tipped over.</p>
<p><strong>6.</strong> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-at-least-15-dead-in-egypt-after-boat-capsizes-on-nile-interior-ministry-2015-7">A small boat collided with a barge in Egypt's Nile</a> river, killing at least 15 people.</p>
<p><strong>7.</strong> A <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33632291">Myanmar court sentenced more than 150 Chinese nationals to life in prison for illegal logging</a>, after the export of logs was banned last year to protect forests.</p>
<p><strong>8.</strong> New research shows that the <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-immigration-to-us-from-mexico-drops-sharply-study-2015-7">number of immigrants coming from Mexico to the US has dropped by 57% since its peak in 2003</a>, largely because of fewer construction jobs since the recession and Mexico's lower birth rate.</p>
<p><strong>9.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/bank-of-america-cfo-thompson-leaving-firm-2015-7">Bank of America chief financial officer Bruce Thompson is leaving the firm</a> after 5 1/2 years, in an unexpected announcement that comes a week after the bank reported second-quarter earnings that beat expectations.</p>
<p><strong>10.</strong> Three <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-new-crew-arrives-at-space-station-after-two-month-delay-2015-7">new crew members arrived at the International Space Station on Wednesda</a>y after their mission was delayed two months to investigate a rocket-launch failure at the end of April.</p>
<p><strong>And finally ...</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.espnfc.com/concacaf-gold-cup/match/430268/united-states-jamaica/report">Jamaica shocked the US by beating the men's football team in the Gold Cup semifinal</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-22-clone-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/1998-mclaren-f1-auction-15-million-dollars-2015-6">This 1998 supercar could auction for $15 million</a></p> AP Photo/Laurent Ciprianihttp://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-the-majority-of-british-people-2015-720 fascinating facts about the majority of British peoplehttp://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-the-majority-of-british-people-2015-7
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 08:51:00 -0400Charles Clark and Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/55af90bfdd089536128b46b3-1853-1390/rtxekkj.jpg" alt="RTXEKKJ" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Nigel Roddis" data-mce-caption="A Manchester United fan watches ahead of their Champions League semi-final, first leg soccer match against Arsenal in Manchester, northern England, April 29, 2009." /></p><p>Most British people drink a lot of tea and say sorry too much &mdash; or at least that's what the rest of the world thinks.</p>
<p>But which facts really hold true for the majority of the more than 61 million people who live in the United Kingdom?</p>
<p>We've compiled a list using data from numerous research and survey companies, including the <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CCEQFjAAahUKEwjPtoO80O7GAhVFCiwKHWVSB_w&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ons.gov.uk%2F&amp;ei=rn2vVc-nIsWUsAHlpJ3gDw&amp;usg=AFQjCNEiVyTMtlakk7vqcrq2TWyt3fguAw&amp;bvm=bv.98197061,d.ZGU">Office for National Statistics</a>, <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;sqi=2&amp;ved=0CCsQFjAAahUKEwj6i6DC0O7GAhUkCNsKHY8wBI0&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ipsos-mori.com%2F&amp;ei=u32vVbrCJaSQ7AaP4ZDoCA&amp;usg=AFQjCNHQlWmBDbHwoytx0ROU-lRXNnio6A&amp;bvm=bv.98197061,d.ZGU">Ipsos MORI</a>, and <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CCEQFjAAahUKEwjtm5rb0O7GAhUGZCwKHZRGD-4&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewresearch.org%2F&amp;ei=732vVa3oOYbIsQGUjb3wDg&amp;usg=AFQjCNHZTT6m_EmmSEL3KclvKmuhs1Yy2Q&amp;bvm=bv.98197061,d.ZGU">Pew Research.</a></p><h3>61% of Britons have brown hair.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/55af90c0dd089536128b46b4-400-300/61-of-britons-have-brown-hair.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>&nbsp;Source: <a href="http://www.ipsosglobaltrends.com/characteristics.html">Ipsos Global Trends</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>65% of Britons have a favourable view of Americans, 10 percentage points fewer than in 2002.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55af90c0dd089536128b46b5-400-300/65-of-britons-have-a-favourable-view-of-americans-10-percentage-points-fewer-than-in-2002.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Source: <a href="http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/country/231/">Pew Research</a>.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>60% of UK adults drink alcohol at least once a week.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/55af90c0dd089536128b46b6-400-300/60-of-uk-adults-drink-alcohol-at-least-once-a-week.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Source: <a href="https://www.ipsos-mori.com/Assets/Docs/Publications/sri-health-drinkaware-report-jun-2015.pdf">Ipsos MORI</a>.</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-the-majority-of-british-people-2015-7#/#59-of-british-people-describe-themselves-as-christian-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> REUTERS/Nigel Roddishttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-22-2015-7The 10 most important things in the world right nowhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-22-2015-7
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 02:08:57 -0400Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/55af33a1dd089569338b4677-1065-799/santa.jpg" alt="Santa" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Scanpix Denmark/Erik Refner" data-mce-caption="Participants of the World Congress of Santa Clauses 2015 take part in the annual swim at Bellevue beach, north of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 21, 2015." /></p><p>Hello! Here's what you need to know for Wednesday.</p>
<p><strong>1.</strong> Greece's parliament on Wednesday will <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-greece-to-vote-on-second-bailout-bill-in-test-for-tsipras-2015-7">vote on a second package of austerity measures, including civil justice and banking reforms</a>, which the country must pass to receive its third international bailout of around &euro;86 billion.</p>
<p><strong>2</strong><strong>.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/afp-shocked-turkey-steps-up-security-after-deadly-border-attack-2015-7">Turkey is increasing security on its Syrian border after a suicide bombing believed to be linked to Islamic State militants</a> killed 31 people in the mostly Kurdish town of Suruc, one of the deadliest attacks on the country in recent years.</p>
<p><strong>3.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-police-video-showing-sandra-blands-arrest-is-creating-more-questions-than-answers-2015-7">A dashcam video of the arrest of Sandra Bland</a>, a woman who had been pulled over and accused of a traffic violation before being found dead in a Texas jail cell, apparently from a suicide, shows a police officer threatening to stun her with a Taser.</p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> American author E.L. Doctorow, who wrote critically acclaimed novels including "Ragtime," "World's Fair," and "The March," <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/one-of-americas-most-celebrated-novelists-has-died-2015-7">has died at age 84 from lung cancer</a>.</p>
<p><strong>5.</strong> Apple's stock fell more than 7% in after-hours trading after the <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/apple-q3-earnings-2015-7">company reported it sold 47.5 million iPhones, below analyst expectations of 48.8 million</a>.</p>
<p><strong>6.</strong> The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/22/world/middleeast/leader-of-qaeda-cell-in-syria-muhsin-al-fadhli-is-killed-in-airstrike-us-says.html?hp&amp;action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;module=second-column-region&amp;region=top-news&amp;WT.nav=top-news">US says a drone strike on July 8 killed Muhsin al-Fadhli, the leader of a shadowy Al Qaeda cell in Syria</a> who was reportedly so close to Osama bin Laden that he knew about the September 11 attacks before they happened.</p>
<p><strong>7.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/three-freelance-spanish-reporters-are-missing-in-syria-2015-7">Three Spanish freelance reporters are missing in Syria</a> and were last seen July 13 in the city of Aleppo, which is now partly controlled by rebel groups.</p>
<p><strong>8.</strong> <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c196d5e437af42a888e9d93e6e97fd35/eruptions-ash-5-volcanoes-shroud-skies-indonesia">Three airports in Indonesia were closed and thousands evaucated</a> following the eruption of five volcanoes.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>9. </strong>NASA's former lead climate scientist James Hansen, along with more than a dozen other top researchers, has issued a bombshell <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/james-hansen-issues-new-sea-level-warning-2015-7">warning that glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica will melt 10 times as fast as previous consensus estimates</a>, resulting in a sea-level rise of at least 10 feet in as little as 50 years.</p>
<p><strong>10.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/afp-north-korea-prepares-to-launch-new-long-range-rocket-yonhap-2015-7">South Korea says North Korea is preparing to launch a new, long-range rocket in October</a>, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party.</p>
<p><strong>And finally ...</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-world-santa-congress-brings-july-christmas-cheer-to-copenhagen-2015-7">More than 100 Santas from 15 countries are in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the annual World Santa Congress, where they participate in parades and share ideas about how to make the world a better place.</a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-22-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/1998-mclaren-f1-auction-15-million-dollars-2015-6">This 1998 supercar could auction for $15 million</a></p> REUTERS/Scanpix Denmark/Erik Refnerhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-21-2015-7The 10 most important things in the world right nowhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-21-2015-7
Tue, 21 Jul 2015 01:00:25 -0400Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55add27fdd08954e368b4612-6050-4538/rtx1kwxz.jpg" alt="RTX1KWXZ" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger" data-mce-caption="People relax at the public swimming pool of Schoenbrunner Bad on a sunny day in Vienna, Austria, July 19, 2015." /></p><p>Hello! Here's what you need to know for&nbsp;Tuesday.</p>
<p><span></span><strong>1.</strong>&nbsp;Officials believe a <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-blast-hits-turkish-town-near-syria-border-some-dead-and-wounded-security-officials-2015-7">suicide bombing connected to Islamic State militants may be responsible for an explosion on Monday that killed at least 27 people</a> in the mostly&nbsp;Kurdish town of Suruc in Turkey, near the Syrian border.</p>
<p><strong>2.</strong><span> Greece on Monday confirmed it </span><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/greece-pays-the-imf-2015-7">repaid the roughly&nbsp;&euro;2 billion it owed to the&nbsp;International Monetary Fund</a><span>, as well as a&nbsp;&euro;</span><span>3</span><span>.5 billion payment due to the European Central Bank.</span></p>
<p><span><strong>3.</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-polling-stations-open-in-controversial-burundi-election-2015-7"><span>Burundi&nbsp;</span></a><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-polling-stations-open-in-controversial-burundi-election-2015-7">President Pierre Nkurunziza looks set to win a third consecutive term as polling stations open on Tuesday</a> amid violent street protests&nbsp;<span>and after a failed coup attempt in May.&nbsp;</span></span><span><br /></span></span></p>
<p><strong>4.&nbsp;</strong>T<span>he <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/pictures-of-the-new-cuban-embassy-in-dc">US and Cuba re</a></span><span><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/pictures-of-the-new-cuban-embassy-in-dc">stored full diplomatic relations on Monday a<span>fter </span><span>54 years </span><span>of cold relations</span></a>, signaled by&nbsp;Cuba raising its flag outside its state embassy in Washington and the US reopening its embassy in Havana.</span></p>
<p><strong>5.</strong> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/21/business/international/internal-panel-says-toshiba-inflated-earnings-by-1-2-billion.html?module=WatchingPortal&amp;region=c-column-middle-span-region&amp;pgType=Homepage&amp;action=click&amp;mediaId=none&amp;state=standard&amp;contentPlacement=20&amp;version=internal&amp;contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&amp;contentId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2015%2F07%2F21%2Fbusiness%2Finternational%2Finternal-panel-says-toshiba-inflated-earnings-by-1-2-billion.html&amp;eventName=Watching-article-click">Japanese electronics maker Toshiba overstated its profits by more than $1.2 billion</a> over the last seven years, a revelation that&nbsp;is likely to lead to the chief executive's resignation on Tuesday.<span><br /></span></p>
<p><strong>6.</strong>&nbsp;<span>Hackers operating under the name <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/ashley-madison-hack-attack-stolen-data-2015-7">Impact Team attacked affairs website Ashley Madison over the weekend</a> and threatened to leak the account data of the site's 37 million users. The attack was reportedly designed&nbsp;<span>to protest and punish the site,&nbsp;<span>which the hackers accused of charging to delete customer information, but not actually doing that.</span></span><span><br /></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><strong>7.</strong> In a defence paper published annually, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-japan-defence-paper-slams-chinas-coercive-maritime-demands-2015-7">Japan accuses&nbsp;</a><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-japan-defence-paper-slams-chinas-coercive-maritime-demands-2015-7">China of&nbsp;acting "unilaterally and without compromise" in its bid to reclaim land</a> in the South China Sea.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><strong>8.</strong>&nbsp;Josh Greenberg, the 28-year-old cofounder of the online music-streaming site Grooveshark, <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/grooveshark-co-founder-found-dead-in-home-2015-7">was found dead in his Florida home on Sunday</a>. Police said&nbsp;there was "no evidence of foul play or suicide."</p>
<p><strong>9.</strong> The <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/afp-record-heat-for-globe-in-june-us-scientists-2015-7">global average temperature for June was the hottest for the month</a> on record.</p>
<p><strong>10.</strong> In a world first, an<a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/afp-teen-in-remission-from-hiv-12-yrs-after-stopping-meds-researchers-2015-7"> 18-year-old French woman born with HIV has been in remission for 12 years</a> after not taking medication for that period of time.</p>
<p><strong>And finally...</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-wins-british-open-2015-7">American Zach Johnson won the British Open on Monday in a<span>&nbsp;4-hole playoff, making it the 39-year-old's&nbsp;</span><span>second career major championship.</span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-21-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/1998-mclaren-f1-auction-15-million-dollars-2015-6">This 1998 supercar could auction for $15 million</a></p> REUTERS/Leonhard Foegerhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-20-2015-7The 10 most important things in the world right nowhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-20-2015-7
Mon, 20 Jul 2015 00:45:01 -0400Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55ac7ccfdd0895334b8b45fc-2467-1850/rtx1kout.jpg" alt="RTX1KOUT" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Eric Gaillard" data-mce-caption="A group of riders cycle past a sunflowers field during the 198.5-km (123.3 miles) 13th stage of the 102nd Tour de France cycling race from Muret to Rodez, France, July 17, 2015. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard" /></p><p>Hello! Here's what you need to know for Monday.</p>
<p><strong>1.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-greek-banks-ready-to-open-monday-expect-long-queues-2015-7">Greek banks reopen Monday for the first time since June 29.</a> Capital controls will remain in place, however, limiting the amount of cash people can withdraw to &euro;420 (&pound;291, $454) a week.</p>
<p><strong>2.</strong> German Chancellor <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33587330">Angela Merkel said in an interview on Sunday that extending maturities of Greece's debt and reducing interest paid by the country may be considered</a>, but only once the first successful review of an &euro;86 billion (&pound;59 billion, $93 billion) bailout package was completed.</p>
<p><strong>3.</strong> The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/20/world/middleeast/un-vote-on-iran-nuclear-deal-irks-congress.html?ref=world">UN security council will vote Monday morning on a resolution to endorse the Iran nuclear deal</a>, before US Congress has a chance to complete its 60-day review.</p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-houthi-bombardment-in-yemens-aden-kills-43-exiled-government-2015-7">Rockets fired by Houthi rebels killed 43 people in the city of Aden</a>, just two days after Yemen's exiled government declared the city "liberated."</p>
<p><strong>5.</strong> Drug lord Joaqu&iacute;n "El Chapo" Guzm&aacute;n, who slipped out of his prison cell through a mile-long tunnel, <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-mayor-of-el-chapos-hometown-thinks-his-prison-escape-was-totally-bad-ass-2015-7">has become somewhat of a hero in his hometown of </a><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-mayor-of-el-chapos-hometown-thinks-his-prison-escape-was-totally-bad-ass-2015-7">Badiraguato in northwestern Mexico</a>, with the mayor calling his escape "totally bad ass."</p>
<p><strong>6.</strong> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-japans-mitsubishi-apologizes-to-us-prisoners-of-war-2015-7">Mitsubishi Materials has become the first Japanese corporation to apologize for using American prisoners of war</a> for forced labor in its mines during World War II.</p>
<p><strong>7.</strong> British Prime Minister David Cameron said in an interview on Sunday that <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-pm-cameron-says-he-wants-britain-to-do-more-to-fight-is-in-syria-2015-7">he wanted Britain to do more to fight Islamic State militants in Syria</a>, as airstrikes are currently centered on Iraq.</p>
<p><strong>8.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-lockheed-to-buy-united-techs-sikorsky-for-over-8-billion-source-2015-7">US weapons maker Lockheed Martin is reportedly buying United Technologies</a> for $8 billion (&pound;5.1 billion), which will be Lockheed's largest acquisition in two decades.</p>
<p><strong>9.</strong> Surviving relatives of those killed in the Germanwings plane crash in March <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-crash-victims-families-reject-germanwings-compensation-offer-2015-7">rejected an offer of &euro;25,000 (&pound;17,364, $27,000) in compensation for their pain and suffering</a>, saying it was an inadequate amount.</p>
<p><strong>10. </strong>Bernd Lucke, former leader of the eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-germanys-ex-afd-leader-sets-up-new-eurosceptic-party-2015-7">set up a new party on Sunday called the Alliance for Progress and Renewal (ALFA)</a>, which also opposes eurozone bailouts.</p>
<p><strong>And finally...</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/mick-fanning-fights-off-shark-attack-2015-7">Professional Australian surfer Mick Fanning fought off an attack by a great white shark on live television on Sunday during the finals of the J-Bay Open of the Men's Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour in South Africa</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-20-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/1998-mclaren-f1-auction-15-million-dollars-2015-6">This 1998 supercar could auction for $15 million</a></p> REUTERS/Eric Gaillardhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-10-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-17-2015-7The 10 most important things in the world right nowhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-10-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-17-2015-7
Fri, 17 Jul 2015 00:42:45 -0400Dina Spector
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/55a887cfdd08953f418b45a4-3505-2629/rtx1khny.jpg" alt="RTX1KHNY" data-mce-source="REUTERS/China Daily" data-mce-caption="An explosion at a petrochemical plant is seen in Rizhao, Shandong province, July 16, 2015." /></p><p>Hello! Here's what you need to know for Friday.</p>
<p><strong>1. </strong>A <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-we-know-about-muhammad-youssef-abdulazeez-2015-7">gunman opened fire Thursday at two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee</a>, killing four Marines, in what is being described as an "act of domestic terrorism." The gunman, identified as 24-year-old Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, was also killed.</p>
<p><strong>2.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/afp-greek-banks-to-reopen-after-ecb-extends-cash-lifeline-2015-7">Greek banks on Monday will reopen for the first time since June 29</a>, after the European Central Bank confirmed it would increase emergency funding.</p>
<p><strong>3.</strong> Friday <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/local-witnesses-describe-what-it-was-like-when-mh17-was-shot-down-in-ukraine-2015-7">marks one year since the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine</a>, in which 298 people were killed.</p>
<p><strong>4. </strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33562360">Typhoon Nangka made landfall in southern Japan on Friday</a>, forcing the evacuation of 350,000 people and injuring at least 31.</p>
<p><strong>5. </strong>Six <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/turkish-and-greek-jets-engaged-in-dogfight-2015-7">Turkish fighter jets violated Greek airspace a total of 20 times on Wednesday</a> before being chased off by Greek aircraft.</p>
<p><strong>6. </strong> James Holmes, the man accused of killing 12 people at a Colorado movie theater in 2012, <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/james-holmes-guilty-in-aurora-theater-shooting-2015-7">has been found guilty of first-degree murder in a state court</a>.</p>
<p><strong>7.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/russia-is-going-to-send-fuel-to-syria-from-crimea-2015-7">Russia plans to ship a large supply of liquid-petroleum gas to Syria</a> through a Crimean port that Western powers have placed sanctions on.</p>
<p><strong>8.</strong> Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/japans-prime-minister-just-approved-bills-allowing-troops-to-fight-overseas-for-the-first-time-since-world-war-ii-2015-7">approved bills allowing troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War II</a>, despite strong opposition to the legislation.</p>
<p><strong>9. </strong> The <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-switzerland-says-has-extradited-official-to-us-in-fifa-case-2015-7">first of the seven FIFA officials being held in custody in Switzerland</a> on corruption charges was extradited to the US, officials said Thursday.</p>
<p><strong>10.</strong> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/angela-markel-consoled-an-asylum-seeker-on-after-explaining-she-couldnt-stay-in-germany-2015-7">German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a young Palestinian girl who was facing deportation cry</a> on live television when the leader explained why the country could not manage more refugees.</p>
<p><strong>And finally ...</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/seaweed-that-tastes-like-bacon-2015-7?r=US&amp;IR=T">US researchers have patented a new strain of seaweed that tastes like bacon when it is cooked and is twice as healthy as kale.</a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-10-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-17-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/map-how-indo-european-languages-evolved-2014-12">This Animated Map Shows How European Languages Evolved </a></p> REUTERS/China Daily